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The second attribute, which we call a proprium
[of God] is his Providence, which to us is nothing
else than the striving which we find in the whole
of Nature and in individual things
to maintain and
preserve their own existence. For it is manifest
that no thing could, through its own nature, seek
its own annihilation, but, on the contrary, that
every thing has in itself a striving to preserve
its condition, and to improve itself. Following
these definitions of ours we, therefore, posit a
general and a special providence.
The general
[providence] is that through which all things are
produced and sustained in so far as they are parts
of the whole of Nature. The special providence is
the striving of each thing separately to preserve
its existence [each thing, that is to say],
considered not as a part of Nature, but as a whole
[by itself]. This is explained by the following
example: All the limbs of man are provided for, and
cared for, in so far as they are parts of man, this
is general providence;
while special [providence]
is the striving of each separate limb (as a whole
in itself, and
not as a part of man) to preserve and maintain its own
well-being.
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